Falcon bad news.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by GTP owner

went to our local ford dealer this morning - only 1 falcon in there (an xr). No FPV, no ute, no territory inside the showroom. I could not see any FPV on the lot anywhere. Sad, and an indication of where the Falcon is in the heirachy.

Saw the same thing. I think as a dealership they are having a hard time of it. Lots of advertising on radio, but not much stock moving.

[kaniSS]

I'm garaging my XR6T for the future. Its going to be a classic.

[dylancox]

Originally Posted by Falcman0o7

NO!!!!!
I love the falcon :(
Down in history with the valiant...

Well, the most famous celebrities of all time died young. Would Elvis Presley have been anywhere near as famous if he lived to be old and grey? Long live the falcon, but I sure don't want to see a Falcon go old and gray or have as many makeovers as Madonna (analogy for it going on a Taurus FWD platform).

[bigwil]

My two favourite things in the world apart from my family, Ford Falcons and Elvis Presley, way off topic i know,anyway im going to enjoy the falcon while its still here and all the joys it brings on the road and race track.GO FORD

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by dylancox

Well, the most famous celebrities of all time died young. Would Elvis Presley have been anywhere near as famous if he lived to be old and grey? Long live the falcon, but I sure don't want to see a Falcon go old and gray or have as many makeovers as Madonna (analogy for it going on a Taurus FWD platform).

Sorry but that analogy is perhaps more accurate for where they are now than where they could be in 4 years. A 2016 Falcon might be FWD/AWD but it would be a global platform with high technology content through the HVAC/radio interface, globals receiving regular updates and modern styling.

[dylancox]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

Sorry but that analogy is perhaps more accurate for where they are now than where they could be in 4 years. A 2016 Falcon might be FWD/AWD but it would be a global platform with high technology content through the HVAC/radio interface, globals receiving regular updates and modern styling.

Well Falcon is already old and grey in its current state. If Falcon were a celebrity, I reckon he'd be Cliff Richard. High tech and Falcon don't go in the same sentence. IMHO Falcon will always have that old-school, brute force, trusty-piece-of-farm-machinery image, which is what made it sell back in its day. Ford may very well sell and market a large sedan in Australia, but using the name Falcon may not suit the persona of the new car. With the release of the FG, Ford has started to go along this path, dumping the name Fairmont in favour of G6 to try to be more with the times. Just imagine if Holden continued using 'Kingswood' (almost analogous with a patton tank) as its flagship sedan after 1979 and until today .

[whales]

I find it hard to believe that Ford would spend 10s of millions of dollars or even maybe 100s of millions on the FG11, Ecolpg and the 4 cyl falcon if they were going to dump the car. Sounds crazy to me

[babyf6]

going to ask how much would it cost for FORD to advertise the falcon.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by babyf6

going to ask how much would it cost for FORD to advertise the falcon.

It costs nothing for you or anyone else to get out there and talk up falcon rather than run in circles yelling the sky is falling.

Believe the death of Falcon after it has dies not before.

The other thing that anyone can do is buy a new falcon. A new XR6 costs the same as a 4 year old GT. Yes the GT will be quicker and more fun but if every one does that then one day there will be no more 4 year old GTs and Falcon will be like LTD, Panelvan and Valiant....

[4.0i OHC]

*sigh* According to the likes of Toby, the Falcon has been dead since 1979.

[DrDamage]

Originally Posted by flappist

It costs nothing for you or anyone else to get out there and talk up falcon rather than run in circles yelling the sky is falling.

Believe the death of Falcon after it has dies not before.

The other thing that anyone can do is buy a new falcon. A new XR6 costs the same as a 4 year old GT. Yes the GT will be quicker and more fun but if every one does that then one day there will be no more 4 year old GTs and Falcon will be like LTD, Panelvan and Valiant....

Surely ford will make another panelvan soon right....Right??

[jpd80]

On a positive note, since there's less late model Falcons around, the resale value should be getting better especially for FG..
And since there less of them around to buy, that may encourage some buyers back into the new car market.

I encourage potential buyers whenever I get the chance, at least when I get through with them, they won't die wondering...LOL

[CAMS290]

The question that begs to be answered is How long will the Commodore be around after the Falcon goes ?

The Commodore might pick up the sales that were once Falcon buyers but will that be enough to save Commodore.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by CAMS290

The question that begs to be answered is How long will the Commodore be around after the Falcon goes ?

The Commodore might pick up the sales that were once Falcon buyers but will that be enough to save Commodore.

No, I don't think it's even down to that, both cars are gradually losing sales, it's just that Falcon numbers are much lower at the moment.
Clearly, the market keeps telling both manufacturers not to rely as heavily as they do on large cars, build something else people want.

[ILLaViTaR]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

GOOD now that there out and holden will follow and thousands lose there jobs all the complainers can be happy and we can rename the forum great walls motor club

Yeah I agree, keep pumping our money into a doomed industry!!

[CAMS290]

Originally Posted by jpd80

No, I don't think it's even down to that, both cars are gradually losing sales, it's just that Falcon numbers are much lower at the moment.
Clearly, the market keeps telling both manufacturers not to rely as heavily as they do on large cars, build something else people want.

I am also noticing that the Korean/Japenese manufacturers have much shorter life cycles with their models, updating their cars every four or so years and keeping them fresh, compared with say 6 years for the VE and similar for the Falcon.

The latest 2012 Commodore looks the same as the 06 VE in the eyes of Joe Average so why would you update to a new car that looks the same as the 6 year old one ? Other than a fleet vehicle when you get what your given.

Amortizing costs over the model cycle obviously hurts the local manufacturers more than the imports because of our low sales, its a catch 22 scenario, why spend money updating a old platform when you're not going to get your $$$$ back.

[BaraFGXR6]

The main reason why the falcon is not selling is due to the cost of fuel and the increased cost of living in Australia at the moment, NOT because it is a big car and people are worried about where they are going to park it. Talk to your average Joe and that will be the main reason. Funnily enough, alot of the "special" people in society some how think that the carbon tax will hurt them more on a big car... Simple fact is, alot of families see big cars as expensive to run and would rather by that cute little diesel.
Rather than pumping money into Ford, the govt should try and reduce the cost of fuel which would help save more than just Ford.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by BaraFGXR6

Simple fact is, alot of families see big cars as expensive to run and would rather by that cute little diesel.
Rather than pumping money into Ford, the govt should try and reduce the cost of fuel which would help save more than just Ford.

I think you're right but the thing I do think lots of people fail to realise is that the 'cute little diesels' as you put it might be cheap on fuel but they're bloody dear on parts. The average Falcon or Commodore, to do an oil change and all your filters etc is as easy as dropping down to your local auto store and picking up the gear, but for VW's etc it can be a nightmare. I work in auto parts on weekends and I hate it when people come in looking for parts for their diesel Golfs etc because a) theyre bloody dear and b) almost always have to be ordered. Not as simple as grabbing it off the shelf.

[CAMS290]

Originally Posted by BaraFGXR6

the govt should try and reduce the cost of fuel which would help save more than just Ford.

The govt loves high fuel prices, it makes them more $$$$
Thats why LPG hasn't been pushed, we have an over abundance of it, it is a by product of crude oil, it is cleaner and better for the enviroment.........but nthe govt doesn't make as much in tax out of it.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by CAMS290

I am also noticing that the Korean/Japenese manufacturers have much shorter life cycles with their models, updating their cars every four or so years and keeping them fresh, compared with say 6 years for the VE and similar for the Falcon.

The latest 2012 Commodore looks the same as the 06 VE in the eyes of Joe Average so why would you update to a new car that looks the same as the 6 year old one ? Other than a fleet vehicle when you get what your given.

Amortizing costs over the model cycle obviously hurts the local manufacturers more than the imports because of our low sales, its a catch 22 scenario, why spend money updating a old platform when you're not going to get your $$$$ back.

It's just an example of how tight budgets are on the locally built cars and now that tarriffs
are going and manufacturers are bringing their global vehicles, the locals are starting to fall behind.
Still good efforts but none the less feeling the pinch. It's time they got more help from their parent companies...

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by BaraFGXR6

The main reason why the falcon is not selling is due to the cost of fuel and the increased cost of living in Australia at the moment, NOT because it is a big car and people are worried about where they are going to park it. Talk to your average Joe and that will be the main reason. Funnily enough, alot of the "special" people in society some how think that the carbon tax will hurt them more on a big car... Simple fact is, alot of families see big cars as expensive to run and would rather by that cute little diesel.
Rather than pumping money into Ford, the govt should try and reduce the cost of fuel which would help save more than just Ford.

Most people finance their new car purchase and quite frankly the way finance companies savage
the average working bloke, it's no wonder they can barely finance a $20,000 car...

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Most people finance their new car purchase and quite frankly the way finance companies savage
the average working bloke, it's no wonder they can barely finance a $20,000 car...

Do they? That's pretty sad. No way would I finance a depreciating asset like a car. If a 'working bloke' can't afford $20000, they shouldn't be financing it in the first place. I must be living in another world.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by JG34JA

Originally Posted by Big Damo
I'd vote death to Falcon and Territory if we got Mustang, Explorer and F150 at reasonable prices.

Originally Posted by MickyB
I agree with you, I'd be able to handle it a little more easily if it meant we could buy Mustang's and F trucks at reasonable prices. Unfortunately 'One Ford' is just a way for Ford to rationalise killing off region specific models, it doesn't mean we'll get any of the good stuff that Ford NA can't be bothered building in RHD.
In the coming years I expect Ford AU's vehicle range to be far more similar to Ford Europe than Ford NA.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FPVGT500
If we get Mustang, Falcon can go and die lol

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chilliman
I 've loved the Falcon...if Ford are going to kill it then I hate them. But if they bring in the Mustang all will be forgiven.



I can relate to these feelings. Going to North America I was stunned by the lower prices for really quite a lot of metal, the interesting and different designs, what was in them (loved the Ford Flex AWD wagons myself) and what I deemed to be a real, functioning large scale Capitalist market. I loved that in a bar or restaurant you actually got involving, witty customer service and tipped according to this - on a base $7/hr wage there is real incentive for people to excel. The pricing for totally equivalent items/services in Australia was not even close to competing, and as a consumer I decided to go "on strike" once home, unless I could see competitive pricing or value. Or order overseas. By the looks of retail this year, a lot of other Australians came to the same conclusion at about the same time, and it cuts in terms of people's work and livelihoods.

When I thought about it, there was one exception: if the product or service is Uniquely Australian, available nowhere else, and appealed to me, it was worth the premium. Falcon and Territory fall into this niche, as does a tourism experience at Kata Tjuta, as does a stubby of Coopers pale ale. In the global volume scheme of things, a RWD inline 6 Falcon is far more exclusive than a BMW 3 or 5 series - in sheer numbers alone. It is rare. A Territory is far more exclusive than an Explorer or Grand Cherokee, or Kluger/Highlander, or probably the X5 which inspired it. And with inexorable AUD, market and policy pressures on these products, they are becoming more rare and exclusive by the day. So consider that, they are rare and precious.

Wow, so the biggest car market in the world supports a lot of variety? There’s a shocker.
We could import a greater variety of makes & models here, but the size of the market makes that uneconomical.
And on what did you base your assessment of value? The AUD is at record highs, the US economy is in the crapper, and American cars are cheap for a reason.
Over the years attempts to sell the Mustang, F150, Explorer, and Taurus, here failed miserably because they were junk.
The problem if they try to sell the Taurus and Explorer here without substantial localisation, is that they just won’t be attractive enough to Australian buyers. The Taurus would probably sell ok as a Taxi, but that’s about it.
If my choice is between a European Mondeo with a Turbo 4, and a Taurus straight off the boat from American, I’ll be going with the Mondeo.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Wow, so the biggest car market in the world supports a lot of variety? There’s a shocker.
We could import a greater variety of makes & models here, but the size of the market makes that uneconomical.
And on what did you base your assessment of value? The AUD is at record highs, the US economy is in the crapper, and American cars are cheap for a reason.
Over the years attempts to sell the Mustang, F150, Explorer, and Taurus, here failed miserably because they were junk.
The problem if they try to sell the Taurus and Explorer here without substantial localisation, is that they just won’t be attractive enough to Australian buyers. The Taurus would probably sell ok as a Taxi, but that’s about it.
If my choice is between a European Mondeo with a Turbo 4, and a Taurus straight off the boat from American, I’ll be going with the Mondeo.

The F250 was selling alright here, for something which didnt even have a glovebox and was the 1999 model which sold here until 2006, they stopped selling them because the plant in Brazil stopped making it I think.

Its also in a segment which is growing, dual cab 4X4 market.

They still command high prices to this day for second hand ones, and I see a fair few of them getting around here in my little country town.

If you want to pay $130,000 you can still get a new one, but $130,000 is a lot of money for something that costs high $50K for the top model in the USA.

In my opinion, it was a waste of money engineering the new Ranger when they already have F150, the Ranger is close to the size of it anyways.

[vztrt]

Decision on the Falcon platform was made a little while back.

[Moby Vic]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

In my opinion, it was a waste of money engineering the new Ranger when they already have F150, the Ranger is close to the size of it anyways.

That's Ford's justification for not offering the new Ranger in the US. Many US Ranger fans are peeved about that.

[BFZ Wagon]

If Ford, Holden & Toyota all stop local production, the then Govco in power better drop the import restrictions so we can import what the hell we want from overseas like they can in NZ & the UK. If we can't have a local car, I want a car (that I like) that the other company's haven't brought in. Even if it is a few years old.

[OZQUAD44]

A few points fellas;

I spent a bit of time in ENZID, and what really stood out for me was Falcons and Crappadores cost a LOT there. The market is flooded with imports of all types, so I can only assume Falcons are valued for what they are and not scorned for being considered taxis and run of the mill, as they are here in AU. As soon as Falcons go Aussies will lament the loss, and it will be a crying shame thats for sure.

F trucks that came into AU are CRAP, and I suggest that in the US they are probably not much better. I don't want to personally insult anyone but the stuff that came into australia had some serious issues. Sure they have great road presence, and unmatched capability for some select users. But build quality, ergonomics, and reliability are in the Toilet. I've worked for two very large organisations in fleet management. Both organisations tried F250's and both times the F250's were dismal failures. I'm speaking from bitter experience here. Great to cart the Quads/Powerboat/Horses around, thats it.

As for the T6 Ranger, its a game changer. I suggest you blokes that think the Ranger is just another ute take one for a drive. Go on, get off the keyboard and drive one. Far better build quality than an F truck, bigger capacity than most, and Big. Seriously, go an drive one. IMO Its the best Ford released since the Falcon.

Give up our Falcon and all its derivitives for a Mustang..... really? C'mon Australia where the hell have all the Aussie drivers gone? When did we outsource our aggets boys? As said before, Mustang would make a great poster, the FPV/Falcon makes a great car.

I apologise for adding to this thread because the twit who wrote that article on Drive is a troll. And I've just added to the noise.

I'm off to buy a new Territory for the Wife......

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

That's Ford's justification for not offering the new Ranger in the US. Many US Ranger fans are peeved about that.

It doesn't make economic sense in the US. US customers would not pay $40-50k for a midsize. Ford would not be willing to sell it for $22-25k.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by OZQUAD44

As for the T6 Ranger, its a game changer. I suggest you blokes that think the Ranger is just another ute take one for a drive. Go on, get off the keyboard and drive one. Far better build quality than an F truck, bigger capacity than most, and Big. Seriously, go an drive one. IMO Its the best Ford released since the Falcon.

I'm sorry, but you are incorrect. The Brazilian F250 for Australia was not the same as the US-spec. I have driven both. Then you compare the current model Ranger, with the decade-old model cheaply-built Brazilian F250 that didn't even feature a glovebox. The current F-150 is at least every bit as good as the global Ranger. Both the new Ranger and the F150 are light years ahead of the 10 yr old Brazilian F250. Even my 05 F-150 has still very good. 96,000 miles on the clock now, and not one squeak or rattle. Fully-boxed frame. No major repairs ever needed. Steering feels very tight, no play like the old F-250. The current F-150 is much improved over the 2005 model. I'm not suggesting the Ranger isn't impressive, because it is. But it doesn't take anything away from the F150.